Q: Is the $1.5 trillion Trump infrastructure plan the right way to tackle the nation’s backlog?

Phil Blair, Manpower

NO: The Trump plan is simply smoke and mirrors. If he is reversing the past (ratio) 80 percent federal money/20 percent state money for key infrastructure then just say so. Doesn’t sound like a major benefactor appropriation (and another $1.5 trillion dollar debt) and then tell the states and cities they have to come up with the vast majority of the money.

Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research

YES: The Trump plan envisions a major shift in financial responsibility towards public-private partnerships. The federal government’s current role in infrastructure investment would be reversed from complicated, costly middleman of revenue collection and expenditure of the funds to states and localities. The distinction is for-profit projects, by definition, having positive returns on investment, while public infrastructure projects all too often entail negative returns with little revenue generation, such as massively overpriced, little used “bullet trains” or "bridges-to-nowhere" boondoggles.

David Ely, San Diego State University

NO: Given the significant backlog, the Trump administration is correct in aiming for a high target for infrastructure investment. And, along with federal funding, repairing and expanding the country’s infrastructure should be funded using private and state and local government sources. However, the burden will fall heavily on non-federal sources. Investment is likely to be limited except in places where state and local governments can generate new funding and private partners can earn an attractive return.

Gina Champion-Cain, American National Investments

NO: Whether the infrastructure requirements are new needs, repairs or replacements, these are major projects that must be part of long-term planning with defined funding sources. None of the nation's major infrastructure needs are a surprise. Just as the private sector does, down to even homeowner associations, budgeting reserves for future maintenance and capital improvements is prudent and necessary. Infrastructure spending is like dollar-cost averaging; it must be implemented continually, not in a reactionary fashion.

Alan Gin, University of San Diego

NO: While it is listed as a $1.5 trillion program over 10 years, the federal portion is only $200 billion over that period. The remainder is to come from state and local governments and also the private sector. Given budget problems, it is unlikely that those governments will be able to provide significant funds for upgrading infrastructure. If the private sector participates, it will want to recoup its investment through the use of tolls, which many consider undesirable.

James Hamilton, UC San Diego

He is not participating this week.

Gary London, London Group of Realty Advisors

YES: I am going with yes because Trump is a builder. This is what he does best. (It may be the only thing that he does best!) I have to assume that the number is right, and that the money has to come from a combination of federal and state taxes, private/public partnerships and user fees. I would encourage the use, wherever possible, of the aforementioned user fees because, at least for the road and bridge projects, the user should pay, and the overall plan should include congestion pricing.

Norm Miller, University of San Diego

He is not participating this week.

Jamie Moraga, IntelliSolutions

YES: It may not be the best plan, but the bottom line is that our decaying infrastructure needs to be addressed. Having all parties in the process – federal, state, and local - may be the way to get all invested and involved for long-term solutions. Any state or local taxes (or monies) that are designated for infrastructure repair and improvement should be used for that specific purpose and not allocated or diverted to other areas/uses. Many agree that infrastructure must be addressed; now it’s time to work together to make it happen.

NO: The time required to complete an environmental review process of our highways is over five years and we’re too close to automated driving technology and electric vehicles already. Qualcomm is working on wireless induction technology that can be embedded in the pavement, allowing cars to be automatically charged and President Trump’s plan does not mention trying to speed the rollout of EV charging networks.

Lynn Reaser, Point Loma Nazarene University

YES: The administration believes that more federal funding, on its own, will not solve our infrastructure problem. Fundamental changes in priorities, procedures and policies will be necessary at all levels of government. The impact of new technologies, such as driverless cars, needs to be analyzed. Requiring state and local governments, along with the private sector, to secure all but $200 billion of the total proposed funding will be a stretch, but it is a start.

John Sarkisian, SKLZ

YES: The nation must start somewhere to address needed infrastructure improvements and repairs. Federal, state and local governments combined must budget, fund and contract the work that is deemed critical to our economy and our health and safety. We must balance our budgets to provide protection of our environment, social welfare, and national defense along with infrastructure improvements. This is not easy work and it requires compromise and discipline. Do we have that ability in this political environment? I hope so.

Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health

NO: While I would love to see more money going to repair our infrastructure, I don’t believe the plan will be a catalyst for spending more on it, other than the incremental amount of funding available from the federal program. To do more would almost certainly necessitate some type of tax increase. States that need it the most -- like California -- already have the highest taxes in the country. I suspect that the state Legislature would balk at raising them even higher. But we are going to have to find a solution at some point.

Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

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Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

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The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports.

The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports.

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Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat)

Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat)

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San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750.

San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750.

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Toys R Us still sells about 20% of the toys bought in the U.S., according to an analyst at Jefferies LLC.

Toys R Us still sells about 20% of the toys bought in the U.S., according to an analyst at Jefferies LLC.